Surname Zellers - Meaning and Origin
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Zellers: What does the surname Zellers mean?
The last name Zellers is believed to be of German origin. Derived from the Middle High German term "zellære" meaning "retail trader," it was originally used as an occupational surname for a person who was a shopkeeper or merchant. The plural form, "Zellers", might suggest that a family was known for having many members involved in retail trade or selling goods.
The name was first documented in the region of Thuringia, Germany, an area known for its small but lively trade cities in the Middle Ages. Over time, Zellers families migrated to other parts of Germany and later to other countries, spreading the surname throughout the world. As with many surnames, variations in spelling occurred due to regional dialects and spellings, translation, or simply mistake. Some of these include Zeller, Zellner, and Zoller.
Although primarily rooted in Germany, you can currently find people named Zellers all across Europe, North America, and elsewhere due to immigration and emigration over the centuries. Keep in mind that while this is a general interpretation of the Zellers surname, individual family histories may vary.
Order DNA origin analysisZellers: Where does the name Zellers come from?
The last name Zellers is most commonly found in the United States today, though it is more popular in certain regions than others. In Pennsylvania, especially in the south-central and eastern portions of the state, Zellers is a very common last name. It is also seen in slightly lesser numbers in Ohio, Maryland, and New York. According to the US Census Bureau, approximately 4,000 individuals living in the United States today have the last name Zellers.
The Zellers family has a long and rich history in the United States. The family was originally of German descent, and some of the earliest records of the name are found in Pennsylvania. It is believed that the family was originally from the areas near Ehrenbreitstein and Trier in Germany, which is why it is more common in certain parts of Pennsylvania.
Worldwide, Zellers is more common in German-speaking countries. In fact, it is one of the most common surnames in Germany, particularly in the western half of the country. The name is also seen in greater numbers in Switzerland, Austria, Luxembourg, and Liechtenstein.
In conclusion, the last name Zellers is most commonly found in the United States, particularly in the states of Pennsylvania, Ohio, Maryland, and New York. It is also very common in German-speaking countries such as Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Luxembourg, and Liechtenstein.
Variations of the surname Zellers
The surname Zellers is of German origin. The variants of the surname include Zeller, Sellers, Sellar, Sailers, Salleres, Sellers, Sellaers, Seelaers, Zeylers, Siller, Sellier, Zellinger, Salling, Zeigler, Celler, Zollner, Czeller, Zöller, Zöllner, Zellerau, and Zellerhoff.
Variations of the surname Zeller exist in many different forms and dialects. In Germany, spelling variations of the surname include Zeller, Sellers, Sellar, Sailers, Salleres, Sellers, Sellaers, Seelaers, Zeylers, Siller, Sellier, Zellinger and Salling. In Austria and Hungary, common spellings include Zeigler, Celler, Zollner, Czeller, Zöller and Zöllner. Variants of the surname are also present in Switzerland, Italy, and the Netherlands, such as Zellerau and Zellerhoff.
The suffix "-er" denotes the origin of the surname as occupational, with Zellers likely deriving from a person whose occupation was associated with a cell, such as a church or monastery. Zeller may also be a variation of the Latin name Zacchaeus or the Greek name Zacchaios, often abbreviated to Zach. Depending on the region, the surname can also be related to the German word “Zelle,” meaning “cell” or “small room,” or to the Italian word “cella,” meaning “storeroom.”
Overall, the many variations of the surname Zellers allow descendants of many different regions to easily trace their ancestry.
Famous people with the name Zellers
- Kris Zellers: American card maker, Illustrator and independent game designer.
- A.J. Zellers: American sprint car racer.
- Dave Zellers: former Major League Baseball player.
- Salvator Zellers: priest, Capuchin, and historian.
- Charles W. Zellers: politician and servied in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives from 1927 to his death in 1958.
- C. J. Zellers: American illustrator and board game artist.
- Ashley Zellers: All-American track and field athlete.
- Acie Zellers: MLB Pitcher in 1928-29
- Ashley Zellers: American distance runner.
- John A. Zellers: member of the US House of Representatives for Pennsylvania.
- George Zellers: American Major League Baseball player who played for the St. Louis Cardinals in 1896 and 1897.
- Evan Zellers: American rower, and has made the USA national team as a lightweight.
- Gerry Zellers: professional American football player who played running back for three seasons.
- Harlan Zellers: former professional American football player who played running back for four seasons.
- David Philip Zellers: composer, arranger, conductor, pianist, and recording artist.